Strong was politically appointed ambassador and was nominated for the embassy mission by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

He presented his credentials on August 10, 1953, to King Haakon VII of Norway, and served until February 16, 1957.

[2] In cooperation with MoMA, Strong and his wife hosted a trial exhibition of American art in his residence Villa Otium in Oslo.

Several works from MoMA were lent to the residence including Alfonso Roybal’s Green Corn Ceremony, John Kane’s Homestead, Walter Kuhn’s Apples in the Hay, and Stuart Davis’ Summer Landscape.

[3] The trial formed the basis for the Art in the Embassies Program, which still exists today.